The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-04
PIGEoN-Roosr MASSACRE.
The Story of a Tragedy Enacted in Southern
Indiana in the Early Days.

AAo CsoHy Va u AEaSeuy EbnaCt6u III cOutAcAA
Indiana in the Early Days.
A. w. Tobias. in the Madison Courier.
Pigeon roost was the name of small settle
ment formed in 1909, and was called from the
innumerable number of pigeons that roasted in
that vicinity. 1t was situated five miles south
of Scottsburg, the present county-seat or
Scott. and near beautiful stream that bears
the memorable name until this day. AT the
time of the massacre most of the men were away
from home. In the afternoon of Sept. 3, 1872.
Elias Payne and Mr.. Ceilings, while out bee
hunting one and one-half mile from the present
site OF Vienna, were surprised and killed by a
party of Shawnee warriors. Scalping their
victims, they FASTENED toward the settlement
which they reached about shutdown. In one
short hour one man, five women and sixteen
children were struck dead by the ruthless toma-
hawk of the fendish savaces. Among
the killed were Henry Ceilings and
children Mrs. Ceilings and her seven children,
Mrs. John Norris. her only child and aged
mother-in -law--for the aged were spared no
more than the infant Mrs. Bggs concealed
herself and children in sink hole, until the In
dams became busily engaged in burning and
plundering. when she fed, and succeeded in
reaching the residence Of her brother. John
Ceilings SON of William L. Ceilings, had just
caught horse to 60 after the COWS, when he saw
an Indian approaching in a threatening attitude.
He dropped the rein and fled, pursued by the
savage. who was gaining on him, when he heard
the report of his fathers rifle. and saw the saw
age fall with the blood streaming from his
breast He succeeded in reaching the house in
safety. There were in the house: William Il.
Ceilings Whom the Indians welhknew, and from
his unerrine aim named Long Knife), his two
children. John and Lydia, and Captain Norris.
a6ss tsp t nsev lpd nsn hs sseh so
as it was dark enough for the
Indians to approach the house without being
seen, they would set fire to it, and burn them
alive They therefore decided to risk the peril
n Tx-ain Gp1t l., hnNfn has
John, followed by Norris, and, lastly Long
Knife" AS the latter passing the corn-crib
an Indian fired at him. He Immediately raised
his gun to return the fire when he found that
the bali fired by the savage had broken the lock
of his gun. He hallooed to Norris to bring him
the other gun. but Norris was like the Irishman.
He had brave heart, but cowardy pair of
legs" and they carried him away, leaving Col
Inns to fight the Indians alone with broken
gun. When they crowded him too close he
would raise his gun and pretend that he 60
ing to fire, and thus frighten them back; for
they knew, from the many shooting in
which he came out second to none, that it was
folly to stand before his aim. In this way he
reached the cern-felc, under cover of which
he escaped. After plundering the houses
the Indians set ire to them and most of the
dead bodies being within the houses were thus
consumed. However. some of the children
were pierced by sharp sticks and left sitting
against trees. Their horrible deed accomplished
the Indians started northward. A large force of
Clark county militia were soon gatnereQ from
the vicinity OF Charlestown, which reached the
scene of carnage, while the smoking remains of
the cabins and charred bodies presented the
most horrible spectacle they had ever witnessed.
They Immediately pursued the savages TO the
Muscatatuck, which they found so much swollen
| that they could not effect crossing, and were
| compelled to give up the pursuit. They then
returned and buried the remains of the victims
in two graves, about one hundred yards east OF
the j., NJ. & /. railroad and what is since
| known as the Pigeon-roost or Sodon Cemetery.
| At present there is nothing to show where the
| graves are, except three four rough stones
and large sassafras tree, which is said to have
| witnessed the event, but is now thought to be
| entirely dead.